SME Grade Wireless

An small to medium size school wireless solution

The challenge

Schools have seen a shift in the way in which their networks are utilised in recent years. With a switch from computer suites to laptop trolleys and the introduction of mobile devices such as iPads, wireless network dependency has grown exponentially in recent years. As more and more devices require internet/network access via these wireless networks it is important to have effective connectivity in schools.

In the past, simple wireless trolley solutions were suitable for devices to access basic resources on the school’s network, but these solutions now struggle with the content distributed from learning resources such as Purple Mash to multiple devices at a time. What is required is a more robust and intelligent solution offering consistent performance and minimal school management.

The solution

If your school would like a group of children to have a device, with each device accessing resources, then this is the solution for you. In general we recommend no more than 15 devices per access point. If your school would like more than this, either now or potentially in the future, then you should choose our Education Grade Wireless solution.

SME Grade is a small or medium school wireless solution for schools that are looking to improve on their current trolley solutions or to offer a more modern wireless solution but do not require all the benefits of the Education Grade solution. It offers a reliable and robust wireless solution for mobile devices and laptops with support for up to 450Mbps through-put on the AP Pro, or 1300Mbps on the Unifi AP AC (dependent on configuration and client specifications.)

We offer two support packages:

Basic Install: Initial installation will be carried out by our third party contractor for Access Point placements and The ICT Service Installation team will carry out the controller installation to your local server onsite at school. All support and upgrades will need to be carried out by the school onsite technician. If your school has taken Scheduled Technician Support your technician can do the support and upgrade.

Managed Service: The ICT Service will install the Access Points locally and the controller on the server in the Data Centre. All support and upgrades are covered in this support package.

How our service works

The ICT Service will schedule a date for a member of the Install team to carry out the survey. After the survey, The ICT Service will order the equipment and arrange our third party contractor to install the Access Points and implement the controller software on the school server. The controller software for SME Grade Wireless is installed locally on the school server and would therefore be subject to updates by your local onsite technician.

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The benefits

Competitively priced.

Ability to roam.

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprise markets.

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Frequently asked questions

Will I be able to roam around the school with the SME Grade Wireless solution?

SME Grade wireless will enable you to move around the school with your device, but the experience of roaming is not as efficient as you would receive from a single channel solution.

Do I require an additional wireless controller?

No, the software does not require a separate controller; the software can be run locally on your school server or, if you opt for our managed solution, the controller is based in our data centre. You may require additional hardware, such as a switch, in your network cabinet to run the wireless access points, but we can advise you on this.

How are the APs mounted?

The APs are not intrusive and can be wall mounted or mounted to ceiling tiles.

Is it possible to have outdoor coverage?

Yes, the SME Grade solution offers outdoor access points, meaning coverage can be provided to external parts around the school, such as a playground.

Is SME Grade Wireless recommended for multi-storey school buildings?

No, we would recommend the Education Grade Wireless solution for a multi-storey school building. The Education Grade solution continually adapts the configuration of its access points to ensure adequate signal strength and interference reduction.

How does the Education Grade Wireless Solution compare to the SME (Small to Medium-sized

Enterprises) Grade Wireless Solution?

Education Grade Wireless

SME Grade Wireless

Cloud-based centralised management

Ability to roam

Traffic shaping

Small footprint, more APs needed

Enterprise security, including BYOD policies

Suitable for large primary school / secondary school

Integrated mobile device management

1:1 device usage

2:1 device usage

Ongoing support / maintenance

Multi-channel architecture

Availability

All schools in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties - Contact us for a bespoke quote.